Singer Songwriter, SJ Mortimer pulls back the curtain on the reality of following her dream as a front-woman of multi award-winning Americana Rock Band, Morganway. From recognising the red flags of the burnout cycle, to the paralysing perfection trap that often kills the very creativity it’s trying to polish. We move past the highlight reels to discuss the need for healthy sleep patterns, a genuine support system and a deep look inwards as the cure for imposter syndrome, burnout and the balancing act of life, business and creativity. If you’ve ever felt like you’re faking it—or just wondered if everyone else is struggling as much as you are—this conversation is the reality check you been needing.

Takeaways

• Live performance has potential to be your friend and foe depending on your mindset
• If the love for it is gone, don’t assume it’s dead; take a break.
• Support from partners and friends is crucial in the music industry. Don’t go it alone.
• Everyone feels imposter syndrome at some point.
• The people you think have ‘made it’ probably feel the same about their life as you do.
• Perfectionism isn’t often in the best interests of the overall creation
• The first take is often the best
• Mistakes on stage can create a deeper connection with the audience.
• Community and shared experiences in music foster support and understanding.

Chapters

00:00 SJ Mortimer's Onstage Persona

02:56 The Stage as Your Friend or Foe?

07:53 Fear of the Unknown as an Independent Musician

09:30 Balancing Everyday Life with Music

11:35 How Going Full Time Changed the Creative Process

15:06 Sleep Patterns and their Impact on Creativity

19:19 The Reality of Life as a Gigging Musician

23:52 Mistakes Onstage and The Musician's Inner Critic

31:03 Remembering the Purpose of Music in Our Lives

34:33 Working Around Perfectionism in the Recording Studio

38:33 How to Keep the Creative Juices Flowing

46:58 Where to Find Sj and Morganway

48:34 Quickfire Questions

Mentions:

SJ’s Americana Rock Band: www.Morganway.co.uk

SJ website: www.SJMortimer.net

www.instagram.com/sjmortimer/

www.facebook.com/sjmortimermusic

About the Host

Grace is a seasoned singer-pianist, vocal coach and composer. Over the past decade she has dedicated her life to music and creativity, performing aboard luxury cruise ships across the world and composing for theatre and short films. Her original compositions have been recognised by festivals such as the Paris Film Awards and Only the Best International Film Awards. She strives now to determine how to cultivate authentic expression in music and the importance of it for mental health and human connection.

Contact Method

gracehancockmusic@gmail.com

www.gracehancockmusic.com

Instagram: @gracehancockmusic

Facebook: @gracehancockmusician

#Americana #rock #musicindustry #burnout #liveperformance #creativity #independentmusician #impostersyndrome #songwriting #singersongwriter #frontwoman #musicianlife

Are you confused about whether to sing like you speak? Grace takes you through how singing in a speech-like quality can rob your voice of a certain ‘je ne said quoi’ and how to alter your vowels for that flowing, professional sound. The episode explains the concept of dipthonging and why it’s detrimental to your sound. It’s a practical, virtual lesson focusing on the importance of vowel alterations, tongue positioning, and airflow management in singing. The discussion includes practical exercises and examples from professional singers like Adele, illustrating how to navigate high notes and manage consonant sounds effectively. The session concludes with key takeaways for singers to enhance their vocal performance.

Takeaways

• Singing requires breaking the habits of conversational speech.
• Diphthonging is when a singer sings through the smaller vowel sounds in each word
• Maintaining a consistent airflow is crucial for singing
• Tongue positioning affects sound quality and resonance
• Professional singers often alter their vowel sounds without you realising
• The largest part of the vowel should be juiced for maximum resonance
• Narrow vowels should open up when singing higher notes, wide vowels should round off.
• Consonant sounds should be softened to maintain airflow.
• Understanding vowel trees can reduce pressure and resistance especially in higher ranges

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Diphthonging and Vowel Juicing

01:46 Understanding Diphthonging and Its Impact on Singing

06:17 Practical Examples of Adele's Vowel Alterations

09:52 Consonant Sounds and Maintaining Airflow Exercise

14:13 Vowel Trees Exercises to Relieve Pressure Up High

19:51 The General Rule for Making Your Vowels Work For You

21:10 Breath Support Exercise for Maintaining Open Throat

25:20 Conclusion

Mentions/Resources:

Brett Manning’s Singing Success - https://singingsuccess.com

Vowel Trees (part of Brett Manning’s Singing Success teachings): -

‘Oo’ as in ‘boot’ —> ‘Ouh’ as in ‘book’ —> ‘Uhh’ as in ‘buck’

‘Ee’ as in “beat’ —> ‘Ih’ as in ‘bit’ —> ‘Eh’ as in ‘bet’

Narrow vowels should open a little and wide vowels should round slightly as you sing higher in your range to enable better airflow and resonance. Feel the pressure lessen on the top notes as you migrate these vowels from left to right.

To use this in practise, pin point ‘problem words’ in any song you’re singing where the pitch is high and the vowels are narrow or splatty. You might find it feels squeeze or shaky. You can tweak the vowel more towards the left side of the diagram to release some of the pressure and stabilise the sound in your voice.

About the Host

Grace is a seasoned singer-pianist, vocal coach and composer. Over the past decade she has dedicated her life to music and creativity, performing aboard luxury cruise ships across the world and composing for theatre and short films. Her original compositions have been recognised by festivals such as the Paris Film Awards and Only the Best International Film Awards. She strives now to determine how to cultivate authentic expression in music and the importance of it for mental health and human connection.

Contact Method

gracehancockmusic@gmail.com

www.gracehancockmusic.com

Instagram: @gracehancockmusic

Facebook: @gracehancockmusician

#vocaltechniques #dipthonging #singingesson #diphthonging #vowelshapes #vocaltone #singing #vocalexercises #airflow #highnotes #consonants #singingcoach

Singer songwriter Cloudi Lewis discusses the surprising benefits to her creative career since having children. Hear how she faced disillusionment with life and music after graduating from her Popular Music Degree and how the additions to the family have shaped her creative powers - from ultra efficient time management, to discovering her own resourcefulness in monetizing a wider range of her creative skills. This episode is a light in the dark for those anxious about the balance between family life and a creative career.

Key Topics

• The impact of parenthood on creativity, time management, and personal identity
• Strategies for juggling multiple roles: performer, teacher, photographer, and community contributor
• How moving back to Devon and networking transformed her music scene involvement and opportunities
• The role of support from her partner Sam and how shared responsibilities enable her to thrive creatively
• The effect of motherhood on her productivity, mindset, and self-confidence
• Practical insights on adapting to life's unpredictability and finding creative inspiration in daily routines
• Reflection on postnatal depression, anxieties, and how her perspective on time and self-care evolved
• Cloudi’s upcoming projects, including new singles, gigs, and freelancing work under her creative brand Studio Cloud Creative

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Cloudi Lewis

02:38 Disillusionment with Life and Music

06:13 Kids Made Me More Productive

09:09 Embracing New Opportunities

10:13 Motherhood Quietened my Inner Negative Voice

11:58 The Importance of Sharing the Load

14:00 Creating In And Around Family Life

15:58 Getting Creative With Skill Monetisation

19:19 How 'Mother Mode' Helps Conquer Fears

20:21 Anxiety Before Vs After Kids

22:53 The Hardest Part is Also the Most Fleeting

26:14 Financial Reality and Opportunity

28:43 Where To Find Cloudi's Music

33:14 Outro

Connect with Cloudi Lewis

• Instagram
• Spotify
• Facebook
• For more info on Cloudi's Music Photography and Videography: https://www.instagram.com/studiocloudcreative?igsh=MnZ5ajNhazZqYnVs

About the Host

Grace is a seasoned singer-pianist, vocal coach and composer. Over the past decade she has dedicated her life to music and creativity, performing aboard luxury cruise ships across the world and composing for theatre and short films. Her original compositions have been recognised by festivals such as the Paris Film Awards and Only the Best International Film Awards. She strives now to determine how to cultivate authentic expression in music and the importance of it for mental health and human connection.

Contact Method

gracehancockmusic@gmail.com

www.gracehancockmusic.com

Instagram: @gracehancockmusic

Facebook: @gracehancockmusician

Lost that passion for your music you had when you were a kid? In this conversation, Toby and Grace explore the pitfalls of their courage in their creative lives as adults, how adulthood can grind your creativity down to a pulp, and the mindset shifts around courage that are key to claiming back your passion. They invite you to analyse your subtext: are you being impatient with yourself? Could your priorities be re-jigged a bit? Who are you ultimately trying to please? Avoid being crushed by your own ambition as a singer and put your craft firmly in the place of enrichment. Then you will see it blossom in an environment like the free, joy-filled one you had as a child.

Takeaways

• Courage is often misunderstood as the absence of fear.
• Creativity can become pressured as adults, leading to self-doubt.
• Courage can be engineered and is often the one thing missing in creative adults.
• Overcoming fear involves accepting mediocrity and failure.
• Setting small, achievable goals can lower inertia in creative practice.
• Poor creativity levels can be directly linked to poor self-care practices.
• The vague ‘what ifs' of negative thought need to be brought into the light to be countered.
• Relationships and community should take precedence over work.
• Creative work should be seen as enrichment, not your whole life and worth.
• Action is the key to overcoming fear and self-doubt.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Courage in Creativity

02:30 Falling Short of Childhood Expectations

08:23 Strategies for Building Courage

13:11 Fostering Self-Belief

18:54 Self-Care and its Impact on Creativity

19:52 Patience is Key for a Creative Life

22:51 Talk Back to the Self Criticism

26:48 Overthinking Sucks Balls

31:57 A Priorities Shift Changes Everything

35:41 Final Words of Encouragement

Books mentioned:

The War of Art - Steven Pressfield

Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl

Find today’s co-host, Toby Brown on:

Facebook: @tobybrownmusic

Instagram: @tobybrownguitar

About the Host

Grace is a seasoned singer-pianist, vocal coach and composer. Over the past decade she has dedicated her life to music and creativity, performing aboard luxury cruise ships across the world and composing for theatre and short films. Her original compositions have been recognised by festivals such as the Paris Film Awards and Only the Best International Film Awards. She strives now to determine how to cultivate authentic expression in music and the importance of it for mental health and human connection.

Contact Method

gracehancockmusic@gmail.com

www.gracehancockmusic.com

Instagram: @gracehancockmusic

Facebook: @gracehancockmusician

Keywords

#courage #creativity #self-doubt #mentalhealth #artisticjourney #overcomingfear #selfcare #relationships #creativepractice #personalgrowth

In this episode, Grace explores the intricate relationship between singing and the vagus nerve and how singing can serve as a powerful tool for relaxation and emotional regulation. She explains the physiological mechanisms behind the vagus nerve's influence on vocal control and stress reduction, and shares practical exercises to stimulate the vagus nerve, ultimately highlighting the profound impact of singing on mental health and well-being.

Takeaways

• The vagus nerve activation is crucial for vocal control.
• Singing can help reduce stress and anxiety.
• Diaphragmatic breathing massages the vagus nerve.
• Singing activates a sense of safety in the body.
• Warm-up exercises can stimulate the vagus nerve.
• Singing in groups can synchronise heart rates.
• Vocal exercises can improve mood and emotional state.
• The vagus nerve connects physical and mental health.
• Singing is a way to manipulate your biological state.
• It's normal- and helpful- to feel a little nervous before a performance.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:34 The Vagus Nerve and Its Role in Singing

03:16 Singing as a Tool for Relaxation

04:50 Vagus Nerve Stimulation Exercises

14:39 Outro

About the Host

Grace is a seasoned singer-pianist, vocal coach and composer. Over the past decade she has dedicated her life to music and creativity, performing aboard luxury cruise ships across the world and composing for theatre and short films. Her original compositions have been recognised by festivals such as the Paris Film Awards and Only the Best International Film Awards. She strives now to determine how to cultivate authentic expression in music and the importance of it for mental health and human connection.

Contact Method

gracehancockmusic@gmail.com

www.gracehancockmusic.com

Instagram: @gracehancockmusic

Facebook: @gracehancockmusician

#vagusnerve #singing #relaxation #vocalcontrol #diaphragmaticbreathing #nervoussystem #performanceanxiety #vocalexercises #mentalhealth #musictherapy #optimization

In this conversation, Dan Jarvis, a musical director and vocal expert, discusses the intricacies of vocal tone, the anatomy of the voice, and various singing techniques to manipulate tone to suit the genre of music being sung. He discusses the differences between head voice and falsetto, nasal tonality and twang, the role of vowels and consonants in achieving a desired tone, and the techniques for developing a mix voice and belt. The discussion also touches on the essence of good singing, highlighting the need for emotional connection and storytelling in performance.

Takeaways

• There's a lot you can change and manipulate in your vocal tone.
• Vocal folds vibrate to create sound, and their thickness affects pitch.
• Head voice and falsetto are different, with varying anatomical positions.
• Vowels alterations are used in shaping vocal tone and quality.
• You don’t need more air to sing loud/high
• Nasality and Twang both create bright tone and are often confused for one another
• Vibrato often emerges as a byproduct of good vocal technique.
• A good singer connects truthfully with the material they perform.
• Technique work should complement performance, not overshadow it.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Vocal Tone and Choices

02:12 Understanding Head Voice and Vocal Folds

04:56 Navigating Vocal Techniques: Chest Voice vs. Head Voice

07:44 Falsetto vs. Head Voice: Anatomical Differences

10:38 The Role of Vowels in Vocal Tone

16:19 Twang vs. Nasality in Singing

19:04 Impressions and Natural Singing

21:53 Ways to Use and Improve Breath Control

26:28 Good Posture Makes a Big Difference!

29:48 Vibrato: Byproduct of Good Technique

34:18 What Makes A Good Singer?

37:02 Wrap Up and Where to Find Dan's Work

Mentions/ resources:

Dan’s Website: https://www.danieljarvismusic.com/

Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danjarvis7

Video showing the structure of the Cricoid and Thyroid cartilages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QhVoaVUGmM

Video of the vocal structures (Aryepiglottic Sphincter) used in Twang https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPTBdcYiMy4.

About the Host

Grace is a seasoned singer-pianist, vocal coach and composer. Over the past decade she has dedicated her life to music and creativity, performing aboard luxury cruise ships across the world and composing for theatre and short films. Her original compositions have been recognised by festivals such as the Paris Film Awards and Only the Best International Film Awards. She strives now to determine how to cultivate authentic expression in music and the importance of it for mental health and human connection.

Contact Method

gracehancockmusic@gmail.com

www.gracehancockmusic.com

Instagram: @gracehancockmusic

Facebook: @gracehancockmusician

#vocaltone #singingtechniques #headvoice #falsetto #mixvoice #belt #vocalanatomy #musicaltheatre #vocalexercises #vocalscience

In this episode, Grace delves into the intricacies of vowel alterations in singing, explaining their importance in achieving better pitch, resonance, and vocal health. She goes through the 12 vowels in the English dialect, practical ways to use them and how they resonate in different areas of the mouth. The conversation also includes an analysis of Whitney Houston’s vowel manipulation, how she gravitates each vowel towards the ‘neutral vowels’ for more powerful and fluid singing.

Takeaways

• Vowels are your steering wheel for tone and placement.
• The right vowel alterations can help relieve vocal strain and improve resonance
• Avoid dipthongs - sing into the widest part of every vowel
• Vowels are formed more by the tongue and less by the face and mouth than you think
• Different pitches resonate better with specific vowels.
• Closed vowels need to open and wide vowels need to round off as you go higher.
• Whitney Houston’s vowels keep the airflow as consistent as possible

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Vowel Sounds in Singing

00:43 Two Big Adjustments You Can Make Right Now

07:11 The 12 Vowels and Where They Resonate

13:26 Analysing Whitney Houston's Vowels

19:19 Vowel Modification Exercises and Experiments

23:30 Outro

Mentions/ Resources:

The diagram of vowels within the mouth from Heart of Florida Chorus (now singwithhof.com) -

https://www.heartoffloridachorus.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Craft.Singing-Better-Vowels.pdf

The 12 vowel sounds in the English dialect:

‘Ee’ as in ‘Pete’

‘Ih’ as in ‘Jim’

‘Ay’ as in ‘Dave’

‘Eh’ as in ‘Ted’

‘Aah’ as in ‘Dan’

Ah’ as in ‘Father’

‘Uh’ as in ‘Bud’

‘Er’ as in ‘Word’

‘Aww’ as in ‘ Aww look at that puppy’

‘Oh’ as in ‘Joe’

‘Ouhh’ as in ‘Woody’

‘Oo’ as in ‘Shoe’

Tricia Leines - Youtube Series ‘Perfect Vowels’ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR0uR6OzjcfZFlFUjLgBGtofu8lidaPUu

Vowel Modification Cheat Sheet: - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N73mYP-qQKbmHRguPAx4rZGDJYj48CPq/view?usp=sharing

About the Host

Grace is a seasoned singer-pianist, vocal coach and composer. Over the past decade she has dedicated her life to music and creativity, performing aboard luxury cruise ships across the world and composing for theatre and short films. Her original compositions have been recognised by festivals such as the Paris Film Awards and Only the Best International Film Awards. She strives now to determine how to cultivate authentic expression in music and the importance of it for mental health and human connection.

Contact Method

gracehancockmusic@gmail.com

www.gracehancockmusic.com

Instagram: @gracehancockmusic

Facebook: @gracehancockmusician

#singing #vowels #vocaltechnique #resonance #pitch #tension #WhitneyHouston #vocalexercises #singingtips #vocalrange